Future Yard Reveals Launch Series for New 600-Capacity Birkenhead Venue
Future Yard has revealed the first wave of artists set to perform as part of the launch series for its new 600-capacity live music venue in Birkenhead, with Squid, Holly Humberstone, Irvine Welsh, Xzibit, BODEGA and And So I Watch You From Afar among the names announced.
The new crowdfunded venue is currently nearing completion at Future Yard’s home on Argyle Street and is expected to open its doors before the end of the year.
Forming part of a major expansion of the Birkenhead music venue, the new 600-capacity live room will sit alongside a purpose-built studio complex, significantly increasing Future Yard’s capacity to host touring artists while creating more opportunities for local musicians, young people and those looking to develop careers in the music industry.
Squid, Holly Humberstone and Irvine Welsh Among New Future Yard Shows
Leading the newly announced Autumn/Winter programme is critically acclaimed experimental rock band Squid, who will perform on 25 October, followed by Mercury Prize-shortlisted Scottish multi-instrumentalist corto.alto on 18 November.
New York art-rockers BODEGA arrive on 27 November, while Belfast instrumental post-rock band And So I Watch You From Afar will play on 3 December.
Author Irvine Welsh will appear at Future Yard on 11 December for a rare Q&A as part of BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins’ Q&A Sides series.
BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone will then head to Birkenhead on 22 January, while the wider programme also features Detroit hip-hop artist Xzibit, Liverpool doom metal band Conan and a host of other national and international acts.
The programme will also include the 2026 edition of the ongoing KLF/The K Foundation/K2 Plant Hire project Birkenhead Day of the Dead, taking place on 21 November.
Further additions to the programme are still to be announced.
A Major Expansion for Future Yard
Future Yard first opened in 2020, establishing itself as Birkenhead’s first dedicated live music venue. Its existing 280-capacity venue, rehearsal rooms and multi-use spaces have since become an important part of Wirral’s creative community, bringing touring artists to the town while supporting emerging local talent.
The latest expansion will significantly increase that work.
Future Yard expects the new venue to allow it to deliver more than 50 additional shows every year, creating at least 150 extra performance opportunities for local artists.
The development also includes 12 acoustically treated studio and teaching spaces, connecting the new venue with Future Yard’s existing building.
These spaces are expected to provide an additional 2,000 hours of practical experience for participants in Future Yard’s Sound Check training programme, while allowing around 3,500 children each year to access its Schools Music Curriculum.
New Venue Designed With Accessibility and Sustainability in Mind
Accessibility has also played a central role in the development, with the entire complex designed around the seven principles of universal design.
The building has been developed as a low-energy space and includes a bespoke sustainable heat recovery system as part of Future Yard’s wider environmental commitments.
Future Yard is aiming to achieve operational net zero by 2030, which would position the organisation among the first UK music venues to reach the milestone.
The expansion comes at a significant moment for Birkenhead, which has been shortlisted as the North West’s only contender in the inaugural UK Town of Culture competition. The winning town is set to receive £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028.
Christopher Torpey, Co-founder of Future Yard CIC, said: “It feels like a real step up for Future Yard to be hosting artists of this calibre at our home in Birkenhead – our expanded home, which is being built with the support of our incredible fans and backers.”
He added that seeing Birkenhead feature on major touring schedules was particularly important at a challenging time for the grassroots music sector. “We genuinely can’t wait to invite people inside for a show, share in the excitement and experience this hopeful new direction for the town. The Future is Birkenhead!”
Future Yard Autumn/Winter Programme
Future Yard’s programme currently includes:
September: 04.09 – DJ Yoda’s 90’s Mixtape, 05.09 – Pleasure Island, 09.09 – Ak’chamel, 10.09 – steel. EP Launch, 11.09 – Birkenhead Calling III, 12.09 – Martha, 17.09 – Connor Selby, 18.09 – Smoove & Turrell, 20.09 – Trial Tapes + Little Furry Things, 25.09 – Rebel Dread Rockers (Don Letts + Andy Smith), 26.09 – The Bends.
October: 02.10 – Katy Hurt + Two Ways Home, 03.10 – James Lavelle, 09.10 – Lime Garden (sold out), 10.10 – Ibibio Sound Machine, 11.10 – Everything Yes, 19.10 – Iguana Death Cult, 20.10 – Yumi and The Weather, 22.10 – Lagos Thugs, 23.10 – Annie-Claude Deschênes with THE DSM IV, 24.10 – Grandmaster Flash, 25.10 – Squid, 29.10 – Saigon Soul Revival, 31.10 – Breakthrough Festival.
November: 04.11 – Mae Stephens, 07.11 – African Head Charge, 10.11 – ĠENN, 13.11 – Mike Viola, 14.11 – GNOD, 18.11 – corto.alto, 20.11 – Cheekface, 21.11 – Knats, 21.11 – Birkenhead Day of the Dead, 26.11 – Dylan LeBlanc, 27.11 – Omega Nebula, 27.11 – BODEGA, 29.11 – Cowboyy.
December and beyond: 03.12 – And So I Watch You From Afar, 11.12 – Irvine Welsh, 12.12 – The Cheap Thrills, 18.12 – Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band, 22.01 – Holly Humberstone, 06.02 – James Taylor Quartet, 16.02 – Obie Trice, 18.03 – Rosalie Cunningham, 25.03 – Orchestra Baobab, 27.03 – Dinosaur Pile-Up.
More artists and details surrounding the opening of Future Yard’s new 600-capacity venue are expected to be announced in the coming months.
For more info and to book tickets visit futureyard.org.
